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Saturday, October 18, 2008

Her style is my style

I watched you when you weren’t looking
Yet when given the opportunity, I
Couldn’t turn away.

While you winnowed truth from pain,
Brushed the velvet petal’s nap
Sifted and put up for winter, I was
Watching you
Nose to nose as a child.

A speck on the vast landscape of years
Braid down your back,
Cataloging all the stars,
Did you ask for more time
while I was checking my watch?

Turning the teacup over to look at the bottom
Instead of the tea leaves inside--
Porcelain so pure from worlds away.
I caught your faint silk smile of knowing
You would not change.

Lively thoughts circle your neck
Clasped by timeworn reckonings.
Your soul’s decorations: deep vision, peace,
Beauty with parity and merriment.
I am watching still.
I cannot turn away.


My thoughts on Sunday Scribbling's prompt this week 'my style' illustrated by John William Waterhouse's Spring (The Flower Picker), circa 1900.












13 comments:

Donna said...

This was SO Pretty!!! Happy weekend sweetie!!hughugs

anno said...

The faint silk smile is such a beautiful phrase. I think you perfectly caught that feeling of watching someone you love. Hope you're enjoying a wonderful autumn weekend!

linda may said...

This is a lovely poem Noni, it puts me in mind of watching my Auntie Marion as a child, or hoping that some child might have been watching me the same way.

Linda Jacobs said...

Beautifully poetic! I saw my daughter in your words!

Anonymous said...

lovely, lovely lines. :)

Marianne said...

This poem touched me in ways you can't even imagine, but then, knowing what I know of you...you probably can.
I am weeping through the smiles.
My Grandmother, Grace, she's the one I watched with such intensity, also me dear da.
Thank you.

Texas Travelers said...

Nice post.

Come visit anytime,
Troy and Martha

PS: Alaska Sunday, Hope, AK is posted.
.

Manuela said...

Lovely poem and, I adore Waterhouse's work--always romantic and beautiful females.

Thank you :)

Granny Smith said...

"Turning the teacup over to look at the bottom/ instead of the tea leaves inside", "cataloging all the stars". I, too, am watching still. This heart-breakingly beautiful poetry.

XXX Phyllis

paisley said...

what an intimately beautiful verse....

Nita Jo said...

Love your thoughts! Made me think of my mother and grandmother. Beautiful!

Roan said...

That was a beautiful poem. BJ

Jack Greening said...

What a lovely poem. Thanks for sharing.